You will be drawn to the ones that stand out most and represent a time when you reached your personal milestone. It could be the moment you pass your driving test and can start enjoying the freedom that comes with owning a car. Or it could be the time you ran a marathon to prove you are fit.
Many people are passionate about the latter, and dedicate their entire lives to helping those in need. You can be involved in charity in many different ways, such as by participating in a fundraiser or donating money to a good cause.
Some people, however, are willing to go the extra mile to help, and will even put themselves in harm’s way – literally – in order to do so.
What is a volunteer holiday?
Volunteering holidays are when willing support staff dedicate their time to travel overseas for a time period, which can be as long as one year. In exchange for sponsorship, charities often provide placements to willing volunteers. They can work with refugees or those in poverty, and they can also offer education to children who would otherwise not be able to attend school.
It is a unique experience that allows those who are willing to participate in this program to grow as individuals. A volunteering holiday will not make you the same person as when you left. You’ll have a new perspective on what matters most in life.
Explore
You can discover a whole new culture and way of living while on a volunteer holiday. You’ll also get to see a new side of the country you may not have known existed. You may be surprised by the beautiful landscapes you see depending on where you go.
You are not only there to help, but also to have fun. You are encouraged by your instructors to expand your horizons, grow as a human being and create memories that last a life time.
Popular Destinations
You could go anywhere on a volunteer holiday. You can find many sponsor an orphan campaigns taking place in South America, Africa and the Middle East.
Volunteers are often attracted to countries such as Guyana and Thailand. They also go to South Africa, Cambodia or Ethiopia. You can also find volunteer opportunities in Australia and the United States of America.
Where to find a volunteer holiday?
Some websites advertise placements that are open to those who can give weeks, months or even a full year of their time. The placements are as diverse as teaching English to children in Asia or caring for wildlife in Africa. You can find many opportunities on social media, where various organizations post them.
Asking questions about how they found out about the volunteering opportunity or how they got involved is a great way to engage with those who have done it before. You will often find that people who have been on a volunteering holiday are likely to return, so connecting with them online may be the ticket.
Asking charities if they have any volunteering opportunities is another way to find one. You might get priority if you show interest before the opportunity is announced. This is because you’ve already committed to the program and shown that you support the charity.
Who is it for?
You must be prepared to go as far as possible from your comfort zone. To survive, you need to be able to adapt to any situation and form bonds with people who are strangers. It is advised that before diving in head first, you try living within your budget – living with someone new, eating local foods, and being independent. This is a requirement for many programs before they deploy volunteers. They do this to determine who will be suitable and who won’t.
You will need to calculate the appropriate allowances depending on how long you plan to be gone. These opportunities, particularly those that require you to be away for several months, are best suited to those who are between jobs or are able and willing step back into employment as soon as they return. This will require you to communicate with your employer in order to come up with a mutually advantageous arrangement if you aren’t self-employed. If your annual leave allowance is not enough to cover your desired time off, you may have to take a break. Remember that your employer has to run a business so don’t be surprised if you are required to go away for several months.
You will be stronger for taking on the greatest challenge that you could ever imagine. You will also grow by helping others. What better reward could there be?
